Discovery Park is a 534 acre natural area park operated by the Seattle Parks and Recreation. It is the largest city park in Seattle, and occupies most of the former Fort Lawton site. The site is one of breathtaking majesty. Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, Discovery Park offers spectacular view of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges. The secluded site includes two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active sand dunes, thickets and streams. The role of Discovery Park is to provide an open space of quiet and tranquility away from the stress and activity of the city, a sanctuary for wildlife, as well as an outdoor classroom for people to learn about the natural world. Maintained in its semi-natural condition the park will continue to offer a biologically rich and diverse natural area for urban dwellers and an unmatched opportunity for environmental education.

As I reach the top of the trail, spread out before me are Puget Sound and Bainbridge Island. The lovely Olympic Mountains rise in the distance. In front of me, a Bald Eagle takes off from the top of a Douglas-fir, soon after followed by a harrying Cooper’s Hawk. The seven and a half miles of trails through the park’s forests allow me to see Western Tanagers, Pacific-slope Flycatchers, and many warblers during migration.Down, down from the upper reaches of the park, I arrive at West Point Light Station, a lighthouse built in 1881. Here I scan for murrelets, other alcids, and gulls, and in winter, I seek out my favorite goose, the Brant. At times, huge rafts of Western Grebes assemble. Clark’s Grebe is a distant possibility. And scaup, mergansers, and scoters round out the assembly.The South Meadow is a good spot for many of our resident birds. I’ve seen Spotted Towhee, a variety of sparrows, Barred Owl, Band-tailed Pigeon, wrens, and in winter, Varied Thrush. Seattle’s city bird, the Great Blue Heron, spends time in nearby ponds along with lots of ducks. — Diann MacRae

Located in the corner of northwest corner of Magnolia, Discovery Park is an urban gem. The former Army Post has forest, meadow, a beach, a lighthouse, and old officer housing. And you can get there via the 19, 24, and 33 Metro buses.The classic choice is the 2.8-mile Loop Trail which takes you through the woods and meadows to the park’s literal and figurative highpoint: a bluff overlooking Puget Sound that offers a great view of the downtown skyline. If you’re looking for more you can drop down to the beach and lighthouse before hiking back up to the Loop Trail.

Discovery park: it was almost 5pm, it started to rain but we were ready for this weather – 18 months in New England prepared us for any kind of weather. Discovery Park is a huge park, very green. We walked for 30 minutes before arriving to a beach where there was a lot of wood and a tiny and cute lighthouse.

Hard to beat on a sunny spring day, this former military installation has been transformed into a wild coastal park, laced with walking trails and offering glimpses of the Olympic mountains across the water. Discovery Park wasn’t inaugurated until 1973 and the American military only left the area in 2012. It's the largest green space in the city, with 534 acres of forest, meadows, sand dunes and beaches, providing a welcome escape for locals and a vital corridor for wildlife.

Take a quick hike down to the beach and catch amazing sunsets over Puget Sound. The beach is sandy, but be careful as it has some driftwood that's washed up.Discovery Park and its beach area great for walking, running, photography, and taking in a sunset. If you want to put your feet in the sand, head down to the western most part of the park. This beach is a sand beach with an iconic lighthouse at the end. Dirftwood also washes up on the beach providing some cool contrast.If you need a bite after the beach, head to the Ballard neighborhood, which is about 10 minute drive northeast of the park.